Hyperion, those with too much in the way of education will already be aware, was one of the 12 Titans of Greek mythology. These pre-Olympian gods were the sons and daughters of Gaia and Ouranos (the physical incarnations of the earth and the sky) and so to pick such an imposing and elemental name for a car is a pretty brave move.
Then again, perhaps you can get away with it if it's the name of a one-off Pininfarina-designed Rolls-Royce based on a Phantom Drophead Coupe - because cars don't get much more imposing than that.
Originally commissioned in 2008 by Rolls collector Roland Hall, the Hyperion is designed to evoke the opulence and lavish styling of coach built specials from the 1930s.
To do this, flamboyant US designer Jason Castriota (then working for Pininfarina Special projects, for whom he also worked on the Ferrari P4/5 and 'New' Stratos) created the cartoonesque proportions of the Hyperion, chucking away the rear seats and moving the driving position 400mm rearwards to produce a 'mine's bigger than yours' bonnet of truly stunning proportions.
Added to those exotic proportions and that unique provenance is a bespoke hood and a body made entirely in carbon fibre. And, in at least the vaguest of nods towards normality, the Titanic (in the original sense of the word) Rolls keeps the 6.75-litre V12 running gear and 'ordinary' dashboard
Hall sold the creation he commissioned in 2009 for a rumoured $6 million. Now Hyperion is up for sale again and, if you're wondering how on earth an item of such conspicuous consumption is going to sell in such straitened times, it's located at a dealer in the paradise of good taste and modest living that is Abu Dhabi. The vendors aren't saying how much they want for it, though.
So go on, get in touch with them and offer them a fiver. You never know... or you could always have a nosey at the more 'everyday' Rolls-Royces in the PH classifieds...
2008 Rolls-Royce/Pininfarina Hyperion
Price: If you have to ask...
Why you should: It's a one-off Rolls-Royce designed by Pininfarina
Why you shouldn't: It's a one-off Rolls-Royce designed by Pininfarina